* VMware’s latest virtual server software for symmetric multiprocessing
VMware at its first user conference announced it will introduce a four-way virtual symmetric multiprocessing server architecture.
Called 4-Way VMware Virtual SMP, the virtual machine architecture will power as many as four processors per virtual machine, allowing users to deploy it for demanding network workloads. The software would likely be used for large databases, ERP and Microsoft Exchange.
VMware presently ships a two-way version of its ESX server that is an add-on module to VMware ESK Server 2. It allows a single virtual machine to span two physical processors. This means that two processors can work in parallel and share a single guest operating system image.
The company says that as more multiprocessor and multi-core servers become standard, Virtual SMP will play a big part.
Although the company claims to be the only vendor that provides SMP functionality for Intel-based virtual machines, Qlusters says it does the same. Qlusters’ ClusterFrame software spans multiple processors and creates a single virtual environment. While ESX Server runs on Windows and Linux, Qlusters only runs on Linux. A Windows version is forthcoming. Qlusters also claims to have added a policy engine to its software that dynamically shifts applications and workloads based on needs.
4-Way VMware Virtual SMP is currently in beta testing and will be available in the second half of 2005 as an add-on to the company’s ESX Server. Pricing is not yet available.
